Sony Pictures has acquired an untitled top secret project from JJ Abrams‘ Bad Robot and director Chris Alender. Lionsgate and STX Entertainment were bidding for the rights but Sony ended up as the winner. Deadline reports that Sony production president Michael De Luca won the bidding war with “aggressive progress to production language” written in as part of the deal — meaning it will probably happen, and quickly.

You might not recognize the name Chris Alender, because the Florida State University Film School graduate has not yet directed a feature. While this will be his feature film debut, Alender is very accomplished. The Atlanta native founded Soapbox Films, a full-service production facility specializing in original content and marketing — the company was notably responsible for relaunching The Muppets on the internet with a series of viral YouTube videos.

After the jump, you can find out more about the Chris Alender Mystery Bad Robot Project and watch a five minute short film/music video titled Eye Of The Storm which Alender directed a few years back and got him meetings for features all around Hollywood.